THE MAIN LIQUOR LAW.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1810, 21 October 1874, Page 2

THE MAIN LIQUOR LAW.

The Boston Gazette has the following : —We at length reached an hotel again, and I proposed a glass of brandy and water. My friend looked at mo and then at the landlord ; and then the landlord looked at my friend and then at inc. Perplexity overspread tho countenances of both. " Such a thing as a drop of liquor is not to be had in the place," said the landlord. "Bought, you mean," retorted my friend. " Bought, I mean," was the answer. They both eyed me significantly. " Does anybody give it away P " I inauired, greatly puzzled by the mystery siat appeared on both their countenances. "Not exactly. You see, tho State constable would be after me in no time if I sold liquor," explained the landlord. " Do you want some very badly P " I could not explain how badly I wanted i it, aud could only give vent to my feelings with a sigh. Without a word the landlord disap- , peared within tho recesses of a small room behind tho office desk, and presently came forth with two empty tumblers in his hand. These he placed upon the desk.

" But where is the liquor," I inquired "The law forbids me to sell it," he said, and I dare not disobey the laws. If you can find any here you are welcome to if," saying which lie accidentally turned back the breast of his coat, and tho neck of a bottle peeped forth from the iusidc pocket. Ho faintly struggled with me to prevent the daring robbery upon which I was bent, but I proved inexorable.

"My private bottle, kept for medical purposes, and not for sale," he moaned as he poured the liquor for himself and the worthy chairman of the parish committee " Havo some water, gentlemen ? " he added with alacrity. We drank, and I replaced the bottle in the repository whonce I had taken it. Then 1 put a dollar in his hands. " What is this for ? " he asked, as lie deposited it in his waistcoat pocket and gave me a half a collar in change. "For a bushel of oats," I answered. "•Keep them till I send for them."

; " Ah, sir," said the landlord, with an air of virtuous resignation, "the prohibitory law has done a world of good in stopping the sale of liquors. It's a severe law on us, but it's a good one."